LOS ANGELES — U.S. Senate candidate Kamala Harris has picked up the support of the Los Angeles police union.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League says in a statement Wednesday that Harris is committed to effective law enforcement and meaningful criminal justice reforms. She currently serves as California's attorney general.

The endorsement carries symbolic as well as political weight, since former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is considering entering the 2016 Senate contest.

Both are Democrats.

Harris entered the race last month and has been rolled out endorsements to showcase her support on the former mayor's home turf. She also has the backing of Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson and Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey.